Jose Mourinho says Chelsea’s home game against Hull City on the opening day of the 2013-14 season will be the perfect opportunity to start the campaign on a positive note.
The Blues will take on the newly-promoted side on the weekend of 17 August, with Mourinho set to return to the Stamford Bridge dugout for the first time since leaving west London in 2007.
Chelsea then face a trip to defending champions Manchester United at Old Trafford for their second fixture of the campaign.
“Starting the season at home is a great way for our supporters to show the players they are ready to be behind the team all the way, and at the same time it is a great way for the players to show how much they are motivated and committed,” Mourinho told Chelsea’s website.
“I am so happy to start at the Bridge, but at the same time Hull City is a team who were promoted from the Championship and they will have that spirit, even if now they are in the Premier League. So it is an emotional but a hard start.
“I wish every club well for the season and I especially hope we can all make it a great competition for Premier League fans all around the world.”
Chelsea are due to face Aston Villa at home in their third fixture, but that game is set to be rescheduled due to the Blues’ Uefa Super Cup clash against Bayern Munich in Prague on 30 August.